Ask Robbo: Mark Robinson answers your burning footy questions

They’ve bounded out of the gates and are sitting pretty in second spot on the ladder, but should the Gold Coast Suns be entitled to approved concessions at this year’s draft if they play finals? Mark Robinson answers your burning questions.

Jordan De Goey is one out-of-form Pie who has flown under the radar. Picture: Getty Images

It’s been another massive week in an extraordinary season.

The week was dominated by news of Conor McKenna’s positive COVID-19 test … then a negative COVID-19 test that created more confusion.

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The AFL released two more weeks of the fixture for the coronavirus-impacted season and a fight erupted over the location of the 2020 Grand Final, with Perth and Sydney both putting up their hands to poach the biggest day in footy.

And the shadow of racism continued to stretch across the game, with Carlton star Eddie Betts revealing the toll of years of racist abuse and Heritier Lumumba not backing down on his claims of what happened during this time at Collingwood.

And of course there was drama on the field as season continued to throw up surprising results.

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Jordan De Goey is one out-of-form Pie who has flown under the radar. Picture: Getty Images

Q&A WITH ROBBO

Sam: The low-scoring, dour affairs is starting to really affect me as a lover of the sport. What’s your thoughts on a bonus point system as an incentive to score? For instance if a team scores 100 points they get an extra premiership point whether they win or lose.

Robbo: Am not opposed to it, but as one twitter person said at the weekend, would a coach play risky football to secure one point and put in jeopardy the four points. Probably not. But it might encourage attacking football towards the end of the season as teams try to make up percentage.

Michael: Can you explain how Merrett gets a week for a tap while Burgoyne gets off for slamming danger into the ground.

Robbo: I can’t, Michael. I agree that Merrett should’ve been suspended and I argued that Burgoyne should’ve been suspended for his sling tackle. That was an error which was quickly corrected by the AFL.

Ash: Has Collingwood’s good form taken the microscope off Jordan De Goey’s poor start to the year?

Robbo: Yes. De Goey’s output as mid-forward isn’t anything to rave about, but it is a project for him and the Pies. He could easily return to playing deep forward but it appears the Pies are satisfied there with a combo of Elliott, Stephenson, Brown, Mihochek, Cox and a floater. The positive is de Goey can improve his game.

Henry: Why was Hurley off the ground for so long towards the end of the game, when it was such a critical stage of the game?

Robbo: My guess is the Bombers couldn’t get him back because the play was on the other side of the ground. The Bombers were caught short at the back for a small period. But let’s be honest, that hardly lost Essendon the game. There’s bigger issues than Hurley being camped on the bench.

Could the form of No.1 pick Matt Rowell and the stunning Suns cost them at the draft? Picture: Getty Images

MORE AFL:

How AFL is working to ensure 2020 season can make it through COVID-19 crisis

Essendon star Conor McKenna released from quarantine, could face Collingwood after COVID-19 week from hell

AFL players put on notice over how holding-the-ball will be paid in the future

Ben: If the Gold Coast finish in the top 8 should they still receive this year’s priority pick? Or should it go back to a team that legitimately needs it?

Robbo: Great question. The Suns were given, as part of their assistance package, a mid-first-round pick in the 2020 draft, which is currently pick number 11, and a first pick of the second round (currently pick 19) in the 2021 draft. My gut feel is the AFL won’t reverse that decision despite rival clubs kicking up a stink — that’s if they make the finals. The clubs might do it anyhow. It’s baby steps for the Suns and they still need help.

Troy: Could one SA team go through the season undefeated? And the other win less?

Robbo: Yes, but unlikely. Tough question to answer at Round 5, Troy.

Ben: Do you think Nat Fyfe is a champion?

Robbo: Yes. One of the greats of this century.

Joseph: Can Gold Coast win the flag?

Robbo: They can, but they won’t. Am pleased like everyone that the Suns are performing but let’s see them on the road, starting this week with Geelong at Geelong

Originally published as Ask Robbo: Mark Robinson answers your burning footy questions